Choice Hotels International

Rockville, Md.-based Choice Hotels International is focused on the future of the hospitality industry. For the past few years, the company has been investing heavily in everything from cutting-edge technology to new advertising and marketing strategies meant to capture more market share. They’ve been actively growing their existing brands, with a particular focus on upscale brand Cambria and midscale brand Comfort, the latter of which rolled out a new brand image at Choice’s 64th annual convention back in May. Choice has also been growing its portfolio through acquisition, acquiring extended-stay brand WoodSpring Suites in a deal finalized in February of this year. Choice also welcomed a new CEO, Pat Pacious, last September. Pacious previously served as the company’s president and COO and has been with Choice since 2005. Pacious has made it his mission to get to know his franchisees, and said at the company’s Convention, “My commitment to you is to keep making bold moves, to learn quickly what’s working and where we can do better, and never stop listening.”